[OnWingTips314]

I'm extremely close with one of my roommates, and we tend to spend most of our free time together. I've always been the "mom" friend in this group, and I have no problem taking care of my roommates and friends when they need me. Lately, however, I have realized that the roommate to whom I consider myself closest only calls me "mom" or "mommy" when speaking directly to me, and when she is around me she seems to regress. It reminds me of the way tweens and teens regress around their parents sometimes, where they speak in a smaller or a childlike voice and they get extremely clingy. My roommate does this with me, not seeming to notice that I don't enjoy her "cute" behaviors and that I don't want to be her mother. She doesn't seem to treat other people this way, so I am at a loss as to how to handle it or stop her without making her feel bad or embarrassed.

[MickeyCheeky]

I do that with my mom, as well.. well, if it bothers you, I guess you can't do much else other than tell her. :/

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by OnWingTips314

I'm extremely close with one of my roommates, and we tend to spend most of our free time together. I've always been the "mom" friend in this group, and I have no problem taking care of my roommates and friends when they need me. Lately, however, I have realized that the roommate to whom I consider myself closest only calls me "mom" or "mommy" when speaking directly to me, and when she is around me she seems to regress. It reminds me of the way tweens and teens regress around their parents sometimes, where they speak in a smaller or a childlike voice and they get extremely clingy. My roommate does this with me, not seeming to notice that I don't enjoy her "cute" behaviors and that I don't want to be her mother. She doesn't seem to treat other people this way, so I am at a loss as to how to handle it or stop her without making her feel bad or embarrassed.

I cant say for your room mate but here where I am its quite normal for roll playing behavior like you have posted where one person is more in authority figure and the other behaves accordingly to the rolls. sometimes this happens with planning other times it is just the natural progression.

since you dont find this behavior cute and you dont want to be her mother or even be considered a mother figure for her you might want to call a house meeting to let .....all... that live in the household you no longer want to be considered a mother figure. you enjoy helping them with their problems and anything that they bring to you for help on but you do not want to be called mom, mommy and do not want your friends and room mates acting like children around you. (since she doesnt treat other people this way that tells me she does not have a mental or physical problem causing her to do this and that its a conscious behavior she has chosen to do with you)

by addressing the problem that you no longer want to be a mother figure and others thinking of you as mom and mommy, that you are happy helping in any way you can just like a friend does with ....all... your friends and room mates this room mate wont feel signaled out/ discriminated against and will understand everyone is supposed to be behaving like grown ups with you.